Post Office

Well, we knew it was coming, but now that it's finally here, it's still hard to believe. The Main Street Post Office will close its doors Sept. 21. All of us with boxes will now have to go to the post office on Ridge Road to retrieve our mail.

What a bummer. There has been a post office in the Historic District since Samuel Godfrey became the first post master in 1797.

In the 1930s, six frame buildings were demolished to make room for the current building, which was dedicated Dec. 7, 1940. The Ladies' Auxiliary of the fire department served lunch that day to 150 people.

If you haven't been in the building, get there as soon as you can to see the wonderful historic murals inside. They were painted by Petro Paul DeAnna as a Works Progress Administration project. Rumors are flying about the fate of the building. Stay tuned.

Pooches' Pool Party

What better way to end the summer season than to spend some time in the pool with your dog? The County is sponsoring a Pooches' Pool Party on Sept. 6, with two sessions at the Roger Carter Center on Fels Lane -- one from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and another from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each doggy will receive a gift bag. To register, call 410-313-7275. I've seen photos of the event in previous years, and it really looks like fun.

Lace

If you take the sewing class and then want to decorate your final product, you should check out the Lace Day coming up at the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those ages 9 and older can actually participate in the lace making process. I've seen the lace makers at work, and it's really fascinating.

Road to the Arts

The Howard County Center for the Arts is kicking off the fall season with a reception weekend at a variety of local galleries Sept. 12-14. In the Historic District, Mat About You Gallery is participating. The gallery is on Columbia Pike, backing on to the post office parking lot, so it's very easy to get to. For more information about the weekend, call 410-313-ARTS.

So, Sewing

The price tag on many garments these days could make you consider dusting off the old sewing machine and giving it another try. If you need some help getting started, the Ellicott City Colored School is going to be the site of sewing classes for both adults and home schoolers.

They will teach the fundamentals of laying out a pattern on fabric, cutting it out and putting it together. The classes will be held in September and October. For more information, call 410-465-8500.

Show House

All roads lead to this year's Historic Ellicott City, Inc. Decorator Show House, Homewood Farm in Ellicott City. The preview party is coming up Sept. 18 -- tickets are $75 and must be purchased in advance. The show house will run from Sept. 20-Oct. 19. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 410-461-6908 for information, or go to www.historicec.com.

Farmer's Market

Can I start a year in advance to lobby for a farmer's market in the Historic District? I think this would be a wonderful draw for our community. We all love fresh vegetables and I'd love to see the green and brown eggs Ann Ryder was telling me she was able to buy recently.

Toni Arthur shared some fresh lima-like beans (they were shaped like limas but different colors and stripes) that she got at the Baltimore Farmer's Market and they were so good, I'd like to see a closer source for them. We do go to the farm stand on Route 99, but that just begs you to keep on going out to the snowball stand on Woodstock Road, and the next thing you know your day is shot.

E-mail news and events taking place on Main Street to janetkusterer@juno.com.

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